MS Shanker A former high-ranking bureaucrat recently asked me to write an article on what language could unite India—given, as he put it, the “widespread regional opposition” to Hindi. Frankly, I was puzzled. Opposition from whom, exactly? Beyond the entrenched, ideologically rigid Dravidian parties of Tamil Nadu, who else is actively resisting Hindi as a…
Can there be a more absurd, crude joke than the recent statement made by former Bangladeshi Major General (Retd) A.L.M. Fazlur Rahman? In a bizarre outburst, Rahman—once aligned with Bangladesh’s interim administration—claimed that if India were to attack Pakistan, Bangladesh would invite China to occupy seven of India’s northeastern states. Let’s be clear: this isn’t…
Naushir Mehta’s Prescription to bring back the past glory MS Shanker In this continuing series on reviving Hyderabad cricket, we feature yet another stalwart — a man of both pedigree and performance, whose insights deserve serious consideration by those steering the ship of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). Naushir Mehta — or Noshir Mehta as…
The Narendra Modi government has made its position clear: national security is non-negotiable, and rogue neighbour Pakistan must be taught a lesson it won’t forget. The Prime Minister has promised an unprecedented response—one Pakistan wouldn’t have imagined in its wildest dreams. Unlike the past, this time, the Centre is moving with both resolve and responsibility….
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, a seasoned constitutional authority and a practicing lawyer before assuming high office, has sent a clear warning to India’s judiciary: do not exceed your brief. His caution comes at a time when the Supreme Court has been increasingly accused of judicial overreach, intruding into domains explicitly reserved for the legislature and…
MS Shanker As I continued my deep dive into the revival of Hyderabad cricket, I had the privilege of meeting yet another remarkable former Ranji star—Maheshwar Singh. A dynamic and aggressive batsman, Singh played in an era before the likes of Krisnamachari Srikanth, Virender Sehwag, or even Rohit Sharma brought their attacking flair to Indian…
MS Shanker In the previous segment, we explored insights from former Hyderabad Ranji star Jyothi Prasad, who emphasized the need for a stronger league structure to identify and nurture talent. Echoing similar sentiments, former Indian cricketer, Hyderabad team captain, and ex-Director and Chief Coach of the Cricket Academy, MV Narasimha Rao, shares his vision for…
MS Shanker Amid swirling speculations about leadership changes within the BJP’s state units, the party faces a crucial decision in Tamil Nadu. The possibility of replacing K. Annamalai as the state BJP chief, reportedly as part of a realignment with AIADMK for the upcoming assembly elections, raises concerns about repeating the misstep made in Telangana….
If you thought Indian democracy was in safe hands, think again. The past few weeks have been a stunning display of how constitutional bodies protect their own while making a mockery of the system they are meant to uphold. At the centre of it all: the curious case of the ‘burning currency notes’ at the…
MS Shanker Cricket in Hyderabad boasts a rich legacy, dating back to the early 20th century when the game flourished under royal patronage. The city has produced some of India’s finest cricketers, bringing immense pride to the region. However, in the past few decades, Hyderabad’s cricketing fortunes have steeply declined, marred by corruption, favoritism, and…
